Mike Scott returns under his 'Waterboys' moniker and delivers an album of some style and substance. ' Modern Blues' is his first proper Waterboys release since 2007's 'Book of Lightning' that being followed by 2011's gimmicky collection of W.B Yeats poetry set to an original score. As creative and different as it was, it was not classic, nor even proper, Waterboys.

The songs on Modern Blues then are heavily soul influenced, hardly surprising given that David Hood appears on bass guitar having previously backed the likes of Percy Sledge and Etta James in bygone years. Scott believes he has improved with age as a songwriter and new single ' November Tale' bears witness to this, with sumptuous strings, catchy hooks and driving bass converging to create a real feel good song.

Scott's voice has never sounded so confident with inflections and clarity which dare the listener to engage. ' Still a Freak' is a standard blues rocker infused with Steve Wickham's electric fiddle, weaving its way through the song to blistering effect.' I Can See Elvis' paints Scott as the rock and roll dreamer, listing his heroes of Lennon, Dean and Marley as they party in the afterlife.

The album has an 'earthy' feel to it, production is warm and a dynamic live sound is achieved largely thanks to the legendary Nashville Studios it was recorded in, the American sound that Scott craved can't be heard more succinctly than on the Rick Springfield-esq 'Beautiful Now'.

As with most of Scott's writing, it is a very personal recording, laying bare past dalliances with women ' The Girl Who Slept for Scotland', places he loved ' The Nearest thing to Hip' and life's epic journey 'Destinies Entwined'. This 'Modern' sound is not exactly original, the songs and recording style are pure Neil Young and as always on Waterboys releases, there is a heavy Patti Smith Group influence, especially in Scott's vocal delivery.

That said, here is a songwriter at the peak of his powers and he knows how to utilise them: White hot guitar breaks and swirling Hammond organ litter the album, culminating in the 10 minute, pile driver closing track ' Long Strange Golden Road'.

The Waterboys are back to their brilliant best and on this form, even the Whole of the Moon is eclipsed.

By Mike Marson